Portable Religious Shrine

ABSTRACT

A religious display structure includes two or more removably interconnected wall panels forming a freestanding enclosure for accommodating one or more users. Each wall panel includes a 3-dimensional visual image formed on the front surface of the wall panel where the images on all of the wall panels form religious scenery depicting a place of worship for the one or more users. The 3-dimensional visual images of the wall panels include one of still photographic images and video images. In one embodiment, the religious scenery is selected from a church, a chapel, a temple, or a synagogue. In one embodiment, the religious display structure is made of plastic and the structure is made for easy assembly and disassembly. The religious display structure can be used in various settings, such as a home or an office, to provide a place of worship for the user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 11/464,282, filed Aug. 14, 2006, entitled “Portable Religious Shrine” of the same inventor hereof, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/713,647, filed on Sep. 2, 2005, which applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a portable religious shrine for use in or outside a home or a commercial building or as part of a landscaped area of a single family dwelling, and more particularly to a portable religious shrine that can be set up to provide the desired ambiance for religious observance.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Places of worship, such as a church, a chapel, a temple or a synagogue, are constructed to provide an ambiance suitable for religious observance. Worshipers travel from their homes to these places of worship to attend religious ceremonies or to pray privately. However, in some situations, it is not possible for worshipers to travel to these places of worship. Also, some worshippers wish to have the ability to conduct religious observance in the privacy of their own homes. Portable religious shrines in various forms, structures and sizes are known.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,095 issued to Green described a portable prayer altar including an enclosure having an open rear wall facing the user. A padded kneeling mechanism is pivotally attached to the interior bottom wall and is movable between a lowered position for use, and a raised position for storage. A rotary air driven motor, in communication with an air compressor and air storage tank, is operably attached to the kneeling mechanism. An activation switch coupled to the motor is carried on the sidewall of the enclosure and is readily accessible to the user. The altar allows for the placement of a book (e.g., a Bible), candles and other religious fixtures. Green explained that the believer would pray or mediate as they would inside of a church, synagogue, or temple. Use of the portable prayer altar would provide people of all faiths with the capability to pray or mediate at any time they desire. When not in use, the portable prayer altar could be stored in a closed, or other appropriate storage area.

The portable prayer altar of Green has many shortcomings. First, the portable prayer altar is suitable only for a single user and cannot be used by two or more people at the same time, such as a family or a gathering of people. Second, the padded kneeling mechanism requires the use of an air compressor and an air tank which increases the complexity and cost of the prayer structure.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,582,883 issued to Keshishian describes a portable religious shrine that is suitable for use at a gravesite comprising a portable enclosure with a plurality of compartments and a folding windscreen suitable for use in the burning of candles, burning of incense, and storage of objects such as a bible and a photograph or picture. The portable religious shrine of Keshishian is of a small size and thus has limited applications.

Small Buddhist shrines and Shinto altars are also known. Japanese Patent Publications JP2000-70112, JP1999-267004 and JP2002-306319 and other literatures describe such shrines and altars. These shrines and altars function more as a piece of furniture. The small Buddhist shrines are generally of a small size and thus not conducive for use by a large group of worshipers. Also, because of their small sizes and appearance as a furniture piece, these shrines do not provide a general ambience for the rooms in which the shrines are placed.

An ancient portable shrine that was used by Egyptian priests to carry images of deities in various ceremonies within the temple and on voyages outside the temple during specific festivals is also known. Such an ancient shrine is usually elaborately decorated with painted scenes of deities and hieroglyphic inscriptions. This type of portable shrine is used as a carrier of other objects and does not itself provide a religious ambience for religious observance.

In other cases, a portable shrine is formed on a platform where the platform carries 7-8 people in a ceremony. This type of portable shrine is used only for ceremonial purposes and is not suitable for indoor use.

The prior art portable shrine being unsatisfactory, a portable religious shrine suitable for indoor or outdoor use and able to create an ambiance suitable for religious observance is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a religious display structure includes two or more removably interconnected wall panels forming a freestanding enclosure for accommodating one or more users. Each wall panel includes a 3-dimensional visual image formed on the front surface of the wall panel where the images on all of the wall panels form religious scenery depicting a place of worship for the one or more users. The 3-dimensional visual images of the wall panels include one of still photographic images and video images. In one embodiment, the religious scenery is selected from a church, a chapel, a temple, or a synagogue. In one embodiment, the religious display structure is made of plastic and the structure is made for easy assembly and disassembly. The religious display structure can be used in various settings, such as a home or an office, to provide a place of worship for the user.

The present invention is better understood upon consideration of the detailed description below and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable religious shrine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a front view of and FIG. 2B is a top view of a portable religious shrine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portable religious shrine according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the portable religious shrine of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5A is a front view of and FIG. 5B is a top view of a portable religious shrine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the portable religious shrine of FIGS. 5A and 5B.

FIG. 7 illustrates a portable religious shrine including four wall panels according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of a wall insert assembly which can be incorporated in the portable religious shrine of the present invention described above.

FIG. 9 illustrates one type of fitted finger jointed connections that can be used to join together two adjacent wall panels according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a hook connection that can be used to connect and secure two adjacent wall panels according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a peg assembly that can be used to connect a roof or a floor panel to the wall panes according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a portable religious shrine according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a portable religious shrine according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a portable religious shrine according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a religious display structure, or a portable religious shrine, includes two or more removably interconnected wall panels forming a freestanding enclosure for accommodating one or more users. Each wall panel includes a visual 3-dimensional photographic image formed on the front surface of the wall panel so that the images on all of wall panels form religious scenery depicting a place of worship for the one or more users. The enclosure formed by the wall panels can be a partial enclosure or a complete enclosure forming an enclosed space. In one embodiment, the religious display structure is made of plastic and the structure is made for easy assembly and disassembly.

The portable religious shrine of the present invention is effective in creating an ambience suitable for religious observance. The portable religious shrine can be set up in a home, a business, or other indoor place of interest, as well as in a garden or backyard, or other outdoor place of interest. The portable religious shrine can be formed to duplicate Eastern or Western places of worship, including typical coloring schemes and religious artifacts. An important feature of the portable religious shrine of the present invention is that the shrine can be readily assembled by one or more users to form a place of worship at a desired location. The visual 3-dimensional photographic images on the portable religious shrine of the present invention provide the users with a connection to the original art replicated on the portable shrine and create the desired ambience for the religious activities of the one or more users.

In the present description, visual 3-dimensional photographic imagery refers to 3-dimensional photographs being printed on plastic parts to transform the plastic parts into visual 3-dimensional replicas of the desired images. In one embodiment, a visual 3-dimensional photographic image is overlaid onto a 2-dimensional wall panel to project a 3-dimensional image. The 3-dimensional images may include statues of recognized Eastern and Western religious figures (e.g., Buddha and Jesus), scenes of an altar, a crucifix, an angel, and curtains and/or walls covered with paintings and tapestries. In another embodiment, a visual 3-dimensional photographic image is overlaid onto a 2-dimensional wall panel to, for example, transform the plastic wall panel into a depiction of stone, wood, stucco or being overlaid with frescoes.

In the accompanying drawings, representations of visual 3-dimensional photographic images are sometimes depicted on the portable religious shrine of the present invention. It is imperative to note that the visual 3-dimensional photographic images shown in the drawings of the present case are illustrative only and are not intended to depict the actual images or the actual quality of the images to be used on the portable religious shrine of the present invention. It is understood that in actual implementations, the visual 3-dimensional photographic images that are provided on the portable religious shrine of the present invention will be of a sufficiently high quality to create the desired ambience for the user. Typically, the images will be in color.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable religious shrine according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a portable religious shrine 10 is shown being set up at the corner of a room 19. Portable religious shrine 10 has a height that generally extends to nearly the full height of the room so as to create an enclosure with the desired ambiance. For example, the portable religious shrine 10 can have a height of about 8 feet.

In the present embodiment, portable religious shrine 10 includes three interconnected wall panels—a center panel 12, a left panel 14 and a right panel 16 to form an enclosure. The front surfaces of the wall panels 12, 14, 16 include visual 3-dimensional photographic images so as to form a religious scenery depicting a place of worship for one or more users. In the present illustration, 3-dimensional images of an angel and a potted plant are shown on the wall panels 14 and 16. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, portable religious shrine 10 includes a table 18 for use as an altar, a recessed wall portion 15 on the front surface of the center panel 12. The recessed wall portion 15 can be used for the placement of one or more religious artifacts, such as a statute or a cross. For artistic effects, portable religious shrine 10 may include a raised border 17 to enclose the recessed wall portion 15. The religious artifacts can be provided with the portable religious shrine or can be purchased by the user separately.

Portable religious shrine 10 of the present invention has wall panels that are removably interconnected to form a freestanding structure. When the wall panels of shrine 10 are interconnected, the shrine 10 stays erected without requiring further parts or materials for support. In one embodiment, the portable religious shrine 10 is made of plastic and the wall panels are interconnected using means that are conducive to ready assembly and disassembly. In one embodiment, the interconnection of the wall panels is realized by the use of fitted finger jointed connections. Accordingly, the lateral edges of wall panels 12, 14, 16 are selectively provided with male/female connection assemblies where tabs in one wall are received in slots formed in the adjacent wall. In other embodiments, other means for providing removable interconnection of the wall panels can also be used.

The portable religious shrine 10 of the present invention can be placed in a room 19 to provide a religious ambiance to the room. Portable shrine 10 can be set up as a temporary or permanent place of worship. Portable shrine 10 can also be used in a commercial setting, such as an office, a hospital, a cruise ship, a military facility or a prison to provide a readily installed place of worship when needed.

FIG. 2A is a front view of and FIG. 2B is a top view of a portable religious shrine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, portable religious shrine 20 includes a center wall panel 22, a left wall panel 24 and a right wall panel 26. The left and right wall panels 24, 26 are angled with respect to the center wall panel 22 so that portable religious shrine 20 can be set up against the corner of a room 40. In the present embodiment, the height of portable religious shrine 20 extends to nearly the full height of room 40 in which the shrine is situated. When room 40 has an 8-foot ceiling, portable religious shrine 20 has a height of about 8 feet. Also, in the present embodiment, each of wall panels 24, 26 includes a first wall panel portion 23 and a second wall panel portion 25. The first wall panel portion 23 and the second wall panel portion 25 are connected to form a respective wall panel. The use of separate wall panel portions to form a wall panel allows customization by the user where different designs of wall panel portions can be selected to form a wall panel of the desired width and having the desired feature. That is, in other embodiments, the side wall panels 24 and 26 can be formed from a mix-and-match combination of wall portion 23 and wall portion 25.

In the present embodiment, the first wall panel portion 23 is a narrow wall panel and includes a half-round shelf 34 for holding and displaying an artifact while the second wall panel portion 25 is a wider wall panel and is unadorned except for the visual 3-dimensional photographic images. The half-round shelve 34 is overlaid with visual 3-dimensional photographic images to depict shelves made of marble or wood or any suitable composition for the shrine 20. The angle between the left and right wall panels 24, 26 and the center panel 22 can be a 90-degree angle or larger.

In one embodiment, wall panel portion 23 has a width of 2 feet while wall panel portion 25 has a width of 3 feet so that each of wall panels 24 and 26 has a width of about 5 feet. The center wall panel 22 has a width of 6 feet.

In the present embodiment, portable religious shrine 20 further includes a table 32 to serve as an altar. In the present embodiment, the table is also made of plastic and has a width of about 1.5 feet. The table 32 is overlaid with visual 3-dimensional photographic images to depict an altar of the desired material composition, such as marble or wood. A pair of kneelers 38 can be provided for use with portable religious shrine 20. The user(s) may use the kneelers for praying or meditating. In one embodiment, the kneelers are overlaid with visual 3-dimensional photographic images to depict a kneeler made of wood for stucco.

Portable religious shrine 20 includes a recessed wall portion 28 enclosed by a raised border 30. The recessed wall portion 28 can have a depth of about 2 inches and can serve to provide a space for holing a religious artifact. The recessed wall portion 28 is overlaid with visual 3-dimensional photographic images to depict a desired surface, such as wood, as shown in FIG. 2A. The raised border 30 can be overlaid with visual 3-dimensional photographic images to depict a desired surface, such as gold.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the visual 3-dimensional photographic images overlaid on the wall panels of the portable religious shrine 20 are images selected to duplicate or replicate an actual place of worship. For example, the interior design of a California mission can be captured and duplicated using visual 3-dimensional photographic imagery onto the wall panels of the portable religious shrine 20. Alternately, the wall panels can be overlaid with visual 3-dimensional photographic imagery to depict walls covered with fresco images of frescoes painted by famous 15^(th)-century artists including Ghirlandaio, Botticelli, Michelangelo and Raphael. In this manner, portable religious shrine 20 creates a suitable religious ambiance of historic significance for the users to enjoy.

Portable religious shrine 20 can include suitable visual 3-dimensional photographic imagery to create an Eastern or Western place of worship. To that end, portable religious shrine 20 can be configured to duplicate a Catholic church, a Catholic mission, a Protestant church, a Buddhist temple, a synagogue, or a Muslim temple.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portable religious shrine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a top view of the portable religious shrine of FIG. 3. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a portable religious shrine 100 is formed in the same manner as described above with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B. However, in the present embodiment, portable religious shrine 100 includes a roof panel 150 and a floor panel 160. Each of roof panel 150 and floor panel 160 is optional and may be added to the portable shrine structure when desired.

In the present embodiment, roof panel 150 is made up of light weight plastic and includes visual 3-dimensional photographic images depicting the ceiling of the desired place of worship so that the roof panel 150 and the wall panels 112, 114 and 116 together form a unified image depicting the desired place of worship. For example, the bottom surface of the roof panel, i.e. the ceiling of the portable religious shrine 100, can be overlaid with an image of a selected portion of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel. In one embodiment, the roof panel 150 is secured to the wall panels 112, 114 and 116 using screws and plastic molding but other fastening means can be used. The size of the roof panel 150 is selected to provide the desired enclosure effect and can enclose a portion of the shrine structure or the entirety of the shrine structure. In the present illustration, the roof panel 150 covers at least the alter on which a pair of candles and a cross is placed.

In the present embodiment, floor panel 160 is made up of durable plastic and includes visual 3-dimensional photographic images depicting the floor of the desired place of worship so that the floor panel and the wall panels 112, 114 and 116 together form an unified image depicting the desired place of worship. In one embodiment, the floor panel 160 can be removably connected to the wall panels 112, 114 and 116. The size of the floor panel 160 is selected to provide the desired flooring effect and can enclose a portion of the shrine structure or the entirety of the shrine structure.

FIG. 5A is a front view of and FIG. 5B is a top view of a portable religious shrine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the portable religious shrine of FIGS. 5A and 5B. Referring to FIGS. 5A, 5B and 6, a portable religious shrine 200 includes a center wall panel 222, a left wall panel 224 and a right wall panel 226. In the embodiments shown above, the portable religious shrine of the present invention is set up against the corner of a room. In the present embodiment, portable religious shrine 200 is constructed so that the center wall panel 222 is set up against the wall 240 of a room or a hallway. The center wall panel 222 of portable religious shrine 200 has a greater width than the two side panels 224 and 226. A table 232 attached to the center wall penal 222 extends to the side panels 224 and 226. In the present embodiment, each of the left and right wall panels 224, 226 is formed by a single wall panel portion and includes a half-round shelf 234 for displaying religious artifact. Kneelers 238 can be provided for use with portable religious shrine 200.

In one embodiment, the height of portable religious shrine 200 is about 8 feet to fill the entire vertical space of the wall 240. The width of center wall panel 222 is about 8 feet while the width of each of the side panels 224, 226 is about 4 feet.

As seen from the above descriptions, the portable religious shrine of the present invention can have various configurations and sizes depending on the needs of the users. Furthermore, wall panels of various sizes can be built to allow a user to mix and match the wall panels to create a portable religious shrine of his/her liking. The portable religious shrine of the present invention can be made of plastic or other durable light weight material suitable for portability and transportability.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the portable religious shrine can include three or more wall panels to create the desired religious scene. In one embodiment, the portable religious shrine can be formed using four or more wall panels to form an enclosed space where one of the wall panels serves as an entry way into the enclosed space. FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a portable religious shrine including four wall panels forming an enclosed space according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 7, a portable religious shrine 300 includes 4 wall panels 322, 324, 326 and 328 forming an enclosed space as a place of worship. A door is provided in wall panel 328 as an entry to the enclosed space. In the present embodiment, portable religious shrine 300 also includes a roof panel 330 and a floor panel 332 to complete the scene. Visual 3-dimensional photographic images are formed on each of the wall panels and the roof and floor panels to create the desired religious scenery. In the present illustration, a partial image of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel is formed on the bottom surface of the roof panel 330, forming the ceiling of the enclose space. The wall panels 324 and 326 are also provided with images of pews and columns and the floor panel 332 is provided with images of a cross to create the desired religious ambiance for the user. As shown in FIG. 7, portable religious shrine 300 can be formed using various combination of wall panels and roof and floor panels to provide the desired religious ambiance for the user(s).

In some embodiments of the present invention, the wall panels of the portable religious shrine may include raised portions corresponding to features in the visual 3-dimensional photographic images. In one embodiment, wall panel 326 of portable religious shrine 300 of FIG. 7 is formed with raised portions corresponding to parts of one or more columns of the 3-dimensional image formed on the wall panel to further enhance the 3D rendering of the image. In another embodiment, wall panel 324 of portable religious shrine 300 of FIG. 7 is formed with raised portions corresponding to parts of at least one of the pews of the 3-dimensional image formed on the wall panel to further enhance the 3D rendering of the image.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the wall panels of the portable religious shrine include a wall insert assembly for accommodating inserts of visual 3-dimensional photographic images. The wall insert assembly enables wall inserts to be placed in front of the wall panels to change the scenery of the portable religious shrine. For example, Christmas themed images can be provided as wall inserts to a portable religious shrine to allow different seasons and festivities to be shown. FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of a wall insert assembly which can be incorporated in the portable religious shrine of the present invention described above. Referring to FIG. 8, a wall panel 410, which can be any one of the right, left or center wall panels, includes cut-outs or slots 412 for receiving a wall insert. The wall insert assembly includes a wall insert 420 providing with a hook assembly 414. The hook assembly 414 is made to match the cut-outs 412 on wall panel 410 so that wall insert 420 can be easily attached onto the wall panel 410 by engaging the hook assembly 414 into the slots 412. Wall insert 420 has formed thereon one or more visual 3-dimensional photographic images to provide the desired scene. In one embodiment, wall insert 420 is made of plastic. Furthermore, wall insert 420 is made of durable plastic having a thickness thinner than the wall panel 410. In FIG. 8, the wall insert is secured to the wall panel using a hook assembly. In other embodiments, other methods for securing the wall insert to the wall panel may be used.

In other embodiments of the present invention, the portable religious shrine of the present invention incorporates electrical wiring to provide specific illuminations, such as for electrical candles, or for general illuminations, such as for lighting the recessed area of the wall panels. In other embodiments, electrical wiring can be provided to the roof panel and/or the floor panel to provide overhead or ground lighting.

Furthermore, in another embodiment of the present invention, the portable religious shrine of the present invention incorporates a sound system whereby sound recording can be play back to further enhance the religious ambiance realized by the shrine. The sound system, which can be any type of stereo sound system, can be integrated with the portable religious shrine of the present invention or it can be provided as a separate component.

As described above, many methods for providing removable interconnection of the wall panels of the portable religious shrine of the present invention are possible. FIG. 9 illustrates one type of fitted finger jointed connections that can be used to join together two adjacent wall panels according to one embodiment of the present invention. As described above, a fitted finger joint connection includes tabs formed in one wall to be received in slots formed in the other, as shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 10 illustrates a hook connection that can be used to connect and secure two adjacent wall panels according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 10, in the hook connection, a hook assembly 432 is provided on the male end of the wall panel 430 where the hook assembly is to be inserted and locked into the corresponding cut-out 434 formed on the female end of the wall panel 440. FIG. 11 illustrates a peg assembly that can be used to connect a roof or a floor panel to the wall panes according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 11, a wall panel 450 to be secured to a floor panel 460 includes a peg 452 formed on the bottom surface of the wall panel. The floor panel to be secured to the wall panel includes a slot 454 for receiving the peg 452. As thus formed, the male peg of the wall panel is inserted into the female slot to secure the wall panel to the floor panel. The same arrangement can be used to secure the wall panel to a roof panel.

The advantages of the portable religious shrine of the present invention are numerous. First, the portable religious shrine of the present invention can be made at low cost so that the portable religious shrine can be an inexpensive and readily affordable item to a large number of users. The portable religious shrine is constructed for quick and easy assembly and disassembly. Second, the portable religious shrine of the present invention provides an immediate spiritual ambiance not provided by the conventional arts. Third, the portable religious shrine could be utilized as a temporary or permanent place of worship.

The portable religious shrine of the present invention has many applications. Individuals can use the portable religious shrine in their home or in the backyard and garden areas to form a personal worship space. Newly formed churches can use the portable religious shrine for worships. An actual Church service can be carried out using the portable religious shrine of the present invention. All places of worships can use the portable religious shrine in a room for young children to create a religious ambiance for young worshippers. Hospitals or schools can use the portable religious shrine of the present invention to create small places of worship for a wide variety of faiths. The portable religious shrine of the present invention can also be used by users in retreats or conferences. Ships, cruise ships, military ships, or prisons can also use the portable religious shrine of the present invention to provide a place of worship when space is limited. Moreover, any type of military headquarter housing military personnel, either on domestic or foreign soil, can use the portable religious shrine of the present invention to provide a place of worship.

Additional Embodiments

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a portable religious shrine according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 12, a portable religious shrine 500 is shown being set up at the corner of a room 519. In the present embodiment, portable religious shrine 500 includes three interconnected wall panels—a center panel 512, a left panel 514 and a right panel 516 to form an enclosure. The front surfaces of the wall panels 512, 514, 516 include 3-dimensional (3-D) visual imagery so as to form a religious scenery depicting a place of worship for one or more users. In one embodiment, portable religious shrine 500 has a height that generally extends to nearly the full height of the room so as to create an enclosure with the desired ambiance. In other embodiments, portable religious shrine 500 has a height that extends only partially to the full height of the room.

In the present embodiment, the wall panels of portable religious shrine 500 include visual 3-dimensional photographic imagery or visual 3-dimensional motion/video images, collectively referred to as 3-dimensional (3-D) visual images or imagery. Computer aided design tools are utilized to replicate the desired 3-D visual imagery onto wall panels 512, 514 and 516. The 3-D visual imagery can be still photographic images and/or video images. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, portable religious shrine 500 includes video display screens 550, 552 and 554 for displaying the 3-D visual imageries. The video display screens 550, 552, 554 can be liquid crystal displays (LCDs) or other types of suitable digital display technology and the video display screens are integrated into the wall panels. In one embodiment, video display screens 550, 552 and 554 are implemented using light-weight LCD screens. The video display screens 550, 552, 554 display 3-D visual photographic or video imagery that are either stored in a storage device associated with the display screens or transmitted to the display screens through a variety of wired or wireless transmission schemes. In the present embodiment, three video display screens are shown. In other embodiments, one or more of the video display screens can be used to display the desired 3-D visual imagery to create the desired ambience for the intended religious activities.

For instance, the video display screens in the portable religious shrine 500 can be used to display changing still images or videos depicting different religious or liturgical seasons or festivals of various Eastern or Western religions. For example, during Lent, 3-D visual imagery can be shown appropriate to the Lenten season, such as images of the cross encircled with Lenten colors, to create the desired ambiance for prayer or worship for the Lenten season.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, a sound system (not shown) and speakers 556 are provided to play analog or digital sound recordings to further create the desired religious ambiance, such as to promote prayers. The sound recordings can include instrumental and/or vocal music or chants or sounds associated with the images being displayed on the video display screens. Alternately, the sound recordings can also be played independently of the digitally displayed imagery. In one embodiment, the sound system includes computers, MP3 or MP4 players, speakers and/or other digital sound equipment.

In some embodiments, lighting may be used to enhance the images within the shrine. For example, in the present embodiment, a light box 568 can be used to provide back lighting such as to create the effect of stained glass windows, and 3-D lenticular art works. Additional interior lighting can also be provided to enhance the religious ambiance and enrich the prayer experience.

In the present embodiment, portable religious shrine 500 also includes motion sensor eyes 560 for detecting motion within a given area of the shrine. Motion sensor eyes 506 can be configured so that the video display screens, the sound system, and/or the lighting system are automatically activated when motion is detected, such as when a user enters the area of the shrine monitored by the motion sensor eyes 560. In this manner, energy savings and convenience to the users of the shrine can be realized. In another embodiment, the sound system can be configured to play a certain greeting or message, such as “silence please”, when motion is detected in the given area.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a portable religious shrine according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 13, a portable religious shrine 600 is shown being set up at the corner of a room 619. In the present embodiment, portable religious shrine 600 includes three interconnected wall panels—a center panel 612, a left panel 614 and a right panel 616 to form an enclosure. The front surfaces of the wall panels 612, 614, 616 include 2-dimensional (2-D) or 3-dimensional (3-D) visual imagery so as to form a religious scenery depicting a place of worship for one or more users. For instance, visual 3-D photographic images or visual 3-D video images can be displayed on the wall panels.

In the present embodiment, wall panel 612 includes a video display screen 650 integrated thereon. Portable religious shrine 600 also includes speakers 656, video cameras 670 and microphones 672 to form a real-time interactive video display system. Speakers 656, video cameras 670 and microphones 672 are formed in center panel 612 in the present embodiment, but they may be positioned on the other wall panels in other embodiments of the portable religious shrine of the present invention. The real-time interactive video display system allows the user of portable religious shrine 600 to interact in real time with another person via the video display screen. For example, the user may interact with his clergyman or a lay person or participate in real-time with a prayer service that may originate at a different location, such as the recitation of the Rosary or First Friday Holy Hour. The use of video cameras and microphones allow the user of portable religious shrine 600 to implement two-way communication with the party at the other site.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a 3-D holographic projector 680 is coupled to portable religious shrine 600 for projecting a 3-D holographic image 682. The 3-D holographic image can be any religious symbols or human likeness and is projected within the enclosed space of the portable religious shrine 600 to enhance the religious ambiance and the prayer experience.

In the present embodiment, portable religious shrine 600 also includes motion sensor eyes 660 for detecting motion within the enclosure space of the shrine. The detected motion can be used to activate one or more of the display screen 650 or the holographic projector 680.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a portable religious shrine according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 14, portable religious shrine 700 includes a retractable privacy screen 790 including screen portions 790A and 790B to fully enclose an area surrounding and formed by the wall panels of the portable religious shrine to create a private place of worship. Retractable privacy screen 790 can be retracted completely to allow the portable religious shrine to remain open or the screen can be closed to fully enclose the space around the shrine. In this manner, the user can use the portable religious shrine 700 for public worship or private prayers. Furthermore, in FIG. 14, the portable religious shrine 700 includes a pull-down screen 795 on the center wall panel. The pull-down screen 795 can be used in conjunction with an overhead projector to display images from a video sources. The video source can include a DVD player or a computer.

In other embodiments of the present invention, the portable religious shrine is formed using plastic and metal parts and contains metal within the wall structure of the wall panels to reinforce the wall panels for providing additional stability and rigidity. In another embodiment, a laminate coating is applied to protect the 3-D visual images from damages resulting from interior and exterior elements, as well as from human handling.

The above detailed descriptions are provided to illustrate specific embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to be limiting. Numerous modifications and variations within the scope of the present invention are possible. In the above descriptions, the portable religious shrine has been described as being set up in the corner of a room. However, as described above, the portable religious shrine can be set up in a home, a business, or other indoor place of interest, as well as in a garden or backyard, or other outdoor place of interest. The portable religious shrine of the present invention can be used inside or outside of a building and has wide applications in various types of buildings or structures, including homes, commercial buildings, cruise ships, retreat centers, conference facilities, etc. etc. The present invention is defined by the appended claims. 

1. A religious display structure comprising: a plurality of removably interconnected wall panels forming a freestanding enclosure for accommodating one or more users, each wall panel comprising a 3-dimensional visual image formed on the front surface of the wall panel, the images on the plurality of wall panels forming religious scenery depicting a place of worship for the one or more users, wherein the 3-dimensional visual images of the plurality of wall panels comprise one of still photographic images and video images.
 2. The religious display structure of claim 1, further comprising a video display screen integrated onto at least one of the plurality of wall panels for displaying the associated 3-dimensional visual image.
 3. The religious display structure of claim 2, wherein the video display screen comprises a liquid crystal display.
 4. The religious display structure of claim 1, further comprising a motion detector eye integrated onto at least one of the plurality of wall panels for detecting motion within a given area of the religious display structure.
 5. The religious display structure of claim 1, further comprising a lighting structure integrated onto at least one of the plurality of wall panels for providing back lighting to the religious display structure.
 6. The religious display structure of claim 2, further comprising a video camera and a microphone formed on at least one of the plurality of wall panels, the video camera display screen, the video camera and the microphone forming an interactive video display system.
 7. The religious display structure of claim 6, further comprising a speaker formed on at least one of the plurality of wall panels for playing sound recording associated with the video display screen.
 8. The religious display structure of claim 1, further comprising a holographic projected for projecting a 3-dimensional holograph image at or near at least one of the plurality of wall panels.
 9. The religious display structure of claim 1, wherein the religious scenery comprises one of a church, a chapel, a temple, and a synagogue.
 10. The religious display structure of claim 1, wherein the 3-dimensional visual images formed on the plurality of wall panels comprise images of Eastern or Western religious figures and symbols.
 11. The religious display structure of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wall panels comprises a left, a center and a right wall panels.
 12. The religious display structure of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wall panels comprises plastic panels with metal inside the wall panels for providing reinforcement.
 13. The religious display structure of claim 1, wherein the 3-dimensional visual images are covered by a laminate coating.
 14. The religious display structure of claim 1, wherein adjacent wall panels of the plurality of wall panels are interconnected using one of a fitted finger jointed connection and a hook assembly.
 15. The religious display structure of claim 1, further comprising a retractable screen for fully enclosing a given area surrounding the plurality of wall panels.
 16. The religious display structure of claim 15, wherein the retractable screen includes two screen portions, a first screen portion extending from a first end of a first wall panel and a second screen portion extending from a second end of a second wall panel, the first and second screen portions being joined to enclose the given area.
 17. The religious display structure of claim 1, wherein adjacent wall panels of the plurality of wall panels are interconnected using one of a fitted finger jointed connection and a hook assembly.
 18. The religious display structure of claim 1, wherein the religious scenery comprises one of a church, a chapel, a temple, and a synagogue.
 19. The religious display structure of claim 1, wherein the 3-dimensional visual images formed on the plurality of wall panels comprise images of Eastern or Western religious figures and symbols. 